Tips on preparing your first home for sale

When you’re getting ready to put your first property on the market, you’ll want to maximise every aspect of it to achieve the best possible price. There are some very simple and cost-effective ways to entice buyers and present your home in the best possible light. It may take a bit of time and energy but preparing your home for sale properly can really pay great dividends.

Make a good first impression

First impressions do count and that starts as soon as a potential buyer sees your property from the street. Kerb appeal is real, so make sure your garden is neat and tidy by weeding, trimming hedges, and mowing the lawn.

If you’re not a keen gardener, it’s easy to buy flowers and put them in pots to brighten things up. Sweep up paths, put away bins and fix any fences that need a bit of TLC. Giving your front door a fresh coat of paint can also make a dramatic difference.

Clean up

Presenting a clean and tidy property should never be underestimated so it is essential your house should be spotless. Whether you do this yourself or hire professional cleaners, a deep clean will make your home fresh and appealing.

High-impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom should be immaculate, but also don’t forget to clean carpets, sofas, windows and ovens because viewers notice everything.

Fix and mend

Now is the time to tackle all those small jobs that may have gone by the wayside. Cracked tiles, leaking taps, and damaged sealant in kitchens and bathrooms all add up and send the wrong message to potential buyers. If you have enough things to fix you might consider hiring someone for a few hours if you don’t have the know-how yourself. Presenting a property as problem-free will always go down well.

Eliminate clutter and personal items

Clutter makes it hard for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. It makes rooms feel smaller and disorganised, rather than the blank canvas you want them to see. Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your house, so put away ornaments, knick-knacks and personal photos, and anything you don’t use on a daily basis.

Pay special attention to the hallway and clear it of excess coats and shoes, hide all your bathroom products and clear bench spaces in the kitchen of appliances, and other bits and pieces. Don’t just worry about what can been seen at first glance – people do open wardrobes to check storage space, so don’t overstuff them or throw things in there to get them out of sight.

Freshen up

Neutral colours won’t put a buyer off, but loud ones can. Most people walking through a neutral-toned property can imagine putting their own stamp on it. If possible, repaint any feature walls necessary, and smarten up doors, window frames with a fresh lick of paint.

Consider taking down dark or heavy curtains, installing uplighters in dark rooms and strategically placing a few plants or vases of flowers. What once might have looked a bit tired will appear brighter and more inviting.

Prepare for viewings

If possible take your pets out of the house when viewings are happening, and thoroughly clean up any pet hair in case your potential buyers have allergies.

Turn on the lights and heating (depending on the season), air out the house, and don’t smoke or cook before viewings. If you’ve got parking, leave the space free for the buyer so they can really imagine this home as theirs.

It’s small things that can all make the difference when you are preparing your home for sale. McSherry Halliday has an expert team of property professionals who can help guide you every step of the way through the property sales process. If you’d like more information please contact one of our trusted specialists today.